Coast Guard Rescues Boaters Stranded near Charleston

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Coast Guard rescued two stranded boaters two miles out on the southern jetties of Charleston Harbor Wednesday at approximately 9 p.m.

Martin Smith, 62, and Margaret VonBulck, 52, both of Litchfield, S.C., were on the 40-foot cabin cruiser Messing About when they became disoriented and grounded their vessel on the southern jetty. Smith contacted Coast Guard Sector Charleston on VHF channel 16 to request assistance.

A helicopter from Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston diverted to the scene to hoist the two boaters off the grounded vessel. The two boaters were taken back to Air Facility Charleston in good condition.

Commercial salvage has removed the vessel from the rocks. No pollution from the grounding has been spotted in the area.